Mandy Cohen Chosen as CDC Director by President Biden

President Biden has made the decision to appoint Mandy Cohen as the leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) once Rochelle Walensky steps down later this month.

Cohen, who hails from the private sector and previously served as the North Carolina health secretary for five years, will be taking on the role of CDC director during a time when the agency is facing significant scrutiny for its handling of the COVID-19 response, particularly in effectively communicating important information to the public.

“Dr. Cohen is a highly regarded physician and health leader with extensive experience in leading large and complex organizations. She has a proven track record of protecting the health and safety of Americans,” stated President Biden in a press release on Friday.

Since the position of CDC director does not require Senate confirmation until January 2025, Cohen will be able to assume the role immediately after Walensky departs on June 30.

More health coverage from The Hill

During her tenure in North Carolina, Cohen played a crucial role in the passing of Medicaid expansion and led the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic during its peak.

“Dr. Cohen has been praised by leaders from both sides of the aisle for her ability to find common ground and effectively implement complex policies,” said President Biden. “I am excited to work with Dr. Cohen as she leads our nation’s finest scientists and public health experts with integrity and transparency.”

While Walensky, as an infectious disease doctor, lacked significant government experience, Cohen brings years of government experience to the table, although she does not have an infectious disease background. This is a quality that many external health experts were hoping to see in the next CDC director.

COVID-19 concerns have mostly taken a backseat for many Americans, and experts argue that government experience should be prioritized.

Cohen also served in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services during the Obama administration, where she played a role in establishing the insurance exchanges of the Affordable Care Act and resolving the problematic launch of Healthcare.gov. In this capacity, she closely collaborated with the current White House chief of staff, Jeff Zients.